The Student Room Group

Clarifications about Standing Waves

Web capture_9-5-2021_14111_www.kerboodle.com.jpeg

What is the dotted wave in the picture depicted?

Apparently, the phase difference between x & y is 180 but why? when dealing with phase differences on standing waves, I've been having trouble with dealing with the dotted line, lol

and if I was to say the period of the wave is 6 seconds, what does that actually mean on a standing wave? is it the antinode starting at max amp going to max negative displacement then going back to max amp??

thanks in advance !
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Obolinda
Web capture_9-5-2021_14111_www.kerboodle.com.jpeg

What is the dotted wave in the picture depicted?

Apparently, the phase difference between x & y is 180 but why? when dealing with phase differences on standing waves, I've been having trouble with dealing with the dotted line, lol

and if I was to say the period of the wave is 6 seconds, what does that actually mean on a standing wave? is it the antinode starting at max amp going to max negative displacement then going back to max amp??

thanks in advance !

X and Y are the same point on waves 1/2 wavelength apart, which is 180 (a whole wavelength would technically be 360/0). So at each point on the wave the time it takes to move up and down once would be its time period.

Hope this helps, say if you need me to explain more :smile:

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